Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin apologized on Tuesday for a photo that emerged from a private party she held at her official residence in July, following a public uproar over her party last week. On Monday, a drug test taken by the prime minister, one of the world’s youngest leaders, came back negative. It was taken down to ease concerns after videos were released last week showing her singing and dancing with Finnish celebrities at another party. This week, another image began circulating on social media, showing two well-known female influencers kissing, covering their bare breasts with a ‘Finland’ sign from the Prime Minister’s official residence in Helsinki. “In my opinion, the image is not appropriate. I apologize for that. This kind of photo should not have been taken, but otherwise, nothing extraordinary happened at the meeting,” Marin told reporters, confirming the photo was from her residence. Marin, 36, who has made no secret of enjoying her free time, said the photo was taken during a private party with friends after a music festival in July. “We had a sauna, we swam and we spent time together,” she said, describing the party at her seaside residence. Finns have been divided over the prime minister’s behaviour, with some supporting the young leader for combining private life with her career, while others have raised questions about whether her judgment would be influenced by her entertainment activities. Social Democrat leader Marin, who became the world’s youngest sitting government leader in December 2019, agreed on Friday to take the drug test, saying she had never taken drugs and had not seen anyone at the party in which participated. Marin told Reuters in January that she and her junior female ministers have been the target of widespread hate speech about their gender and appearance while in office. The Morning Update and Afternoon Update newsletters are written by Globe editors, giving you a concise summary of the day’s most important headlines. Sign up today.
